Jafari Nasr - Petrochemical Research & Technology Co. (NPC-RT), POBox; ۱۴۳۸۵, Tehran, Iran
Rostami - Chemical Engineering Department Sahand University of Technology, Tabriz, Iran
Salem

In this article, it was studied how to achieve to a shell-and-tube heat exchanger with an optimum helical baffle of 42 degrees using CFD analysis. The study was followed by considering shell side flow pattern movement and thermal analysis of the exchanger. Finally, a comparison was made between a heat exchanger with segmental baffle and optimal geometry of 25% baffle cut and a helical exchanger. In addition, a modified equation for turbulent flow in shell side of helically baffled exchanger was developed. This study emphasized that the helically baffled exchangers can be removed and be minimized the main limitations of design for the common exchangers with segmental baffle. It was recognized that helix exchangers have a higher thermal performance and a lower fouling tendency.

Helical baffle, segmental baffle, CFD, rapid design algorithm